A Look at the Differences Between a Bong and a Dab Rig

Those new to marijuana might have some confusion over the differences between bongs and dab rigs – after all, they do look similar. However, there are some clear differences; here’s a look.

Bongs are an absolutely classic method of consuming marijuana, going back many decades. These devices use water to cool the marijuana smoke before it hits your lungs, making the hit much smoother and for many, more enjoyable. Bongs come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors.

Bongs are used mostly for consuming dried marijuana, hash or kief. The user packs a “bowl”, lights the substance in the bowl, and inhales through the mouthpiece.

On the other hand, there are dab rigs. Although they may look similar to bongs, they’re actually quite different. The biggest difference is that dab rigs are not used for consuming dried marijuana. Instead, they are used for consuming marijuana concentrates, such as oils and waxes. Although dab rigs have been around for quite a few years now, they are much newer to the marijuana scene than bongs

Many longtime cannabis consumers still haven’t had the joy of smoking marijuana oil using a dab rig. The main difference is that marijuana concentrates are more powerful, and pack a larger punch. In some instances a single dab hit can equal the THC content of an entire joint.

Rather than using “bowls”, dab rigs use “nails”. These are heated up typically with a torch (though some are self-heating), and once hot enough, the user uses a dab stick topped with oil or wax to touch the nail and cause the oil to combust, which is inhaled through the mouthpiece. There are a variety of different types of nails, ranging from glass to quartz and titanium.

When it comes to pricing, bongs and dab rigs are similar, and range drastically depending on the size, the maker, etc..

If you’re interested in looking through an awesome list of bongs for sale online, click here. For a list of dab rigs, click here.

Anthony Martinelli

Anthony is co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheJointBlog. He has worked closely with numerous elected officials who support cannabis law reform, including as the former Campaign Manager for King County (WA) Councilmember Dave Upthegrove. He has been published by multiple media outlets, and is a former contributor for Village Voice Media.